Moving to Brittany, between land and sea

Lauren Pinel

Rennes, Brest, Lannion, Quimper: cliffs and nature! Let's break the stereotypes of an ageing Brittany with no future. Discover the region from all angles (employment, quality of life, housing, income ...) Moving to Brittany means living between land and sea! Degemer mat (welcome) to Brittany!

Why Brittany?

Based on the OECD's public data on regional well-being, and supplemented by the feedback of newcomers supported by the platform, the "Well-being" tool offers numerical data on 11 previously defined criteria.According to the "Bien-Vivre" tool, BrittanyBrittany is an ideal region to settle down and work. Living in Brittany means reconciling your personal and professional life. It means having the chance to enjoy the proximity of the sea, greenery, fresh air and a dynamic employment area.

The labour market, employment and income

Every year, Brittany attracts more and more people to work in the region. The region is experiencing a demographic boom that is notably higher than the national average. The sectors that recruit the most in the region are agriculture, industry and commerce. But tourism and high technology are also important sectors of activity in Brittany. The headquarters of Bigard, Yves Rocher, PSA and Ubisoft are located in the region.

With a score of 6.6/10 for employment *according toOECD data, Brittany ranks as the 3rd best region to work in France. The income is however lower than in regions such as Ile de France. However, the cost of living is significantly lower.

If we break down the region into its different departments:

Ille-et-Vilaine accounts for 35% of jobs in the Brittany region, making it the leading employment area. With Rennes in particular, the department boasts a low unemployment rate. The sectors that recruit the most in the department are construction, logistics and distribution.
Rennes enjoys a dynamic reputation and is developing many young companies and start-ups.
Morbihan offers a wide variety of jobs. The construction and public works sector, industry and the food industry are the most popular sectors. The establishment of factories has accelerated recruitment.
In Finistère, almost all jobs are generated by agriculture and fishing, trade and tourism.
Brest excels in marine science and technology and marine renewable energy. It has been awarded the French Tech label and is also home to the digital, health and banking-insurance sectors.
Finally, the Côtes-d'Armor recruits the most in the construction and public works sector, the food industry and distribution. It is also a very touristy department. A Lannion, you will find telecommunications companies such as Orange Labs.

Quality of life

The environment

Moving to Brittany means enjoying an incredible environment every day. Ranking 1st in France in terms of quality of life, the region offers breathtaking landscapes. On the land side, the forest of Brocéliande offers a much appreciated green setting. This is a place of legends and stories of Merlin the magician. On the sea side, Cap Fréhel, Ploumanac'h, or the Pink Granite Coast will be your favourite places for an escape in the fresh air.

Education and health

Brittany's top ranking is in education: there is no better region in France in terms of education. This is due to the fact that the academy of Rennes is very popular with post-baccalaureate students. Another important factor is the number of people in the working population who have continued their studies at least to baccalaureate level. Health is also well represented. Brittany has a density of health professionals comparable to or even higher than the national average.

The community

As for the Breton community, everyone knows it:they are generous and open their doors wide. They are proud of their land and happy to share their culture. It's a mentality that makes people who want to settle in Brittany optimistic. Our Breton ambassadors will be delighted to welcome you. Discover Delphine, Switch Up ambassador in Vannes....

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Services and security

Por the Bretons, service is sacred, especially when it comes to tasting a traditional traditionalKouign-amann at the local bakery. As far as security is concerned, you have nothing to worry about. Brittany is indeed the region where the inhabitants feel the safest in France. Take the example of Vannes: 93% of its inhabitants feel safe. Finally, Breizh is the second region in France in terms of satisfaction with daily life. And yes, we told you it was good to live in Brittany...

Housing

Here, despite the fact that the property market has become a little tense as a result of the confinements, property prices remain affordable and in line with the local market. In Brest, for example, the average price per square metre is three times lower than in Paris. The city of Rennes is very attractive, but medium-sized cities such as Lorient, Brest, or Vannes are not left out. Parisians and inhabitants of large cities now represent a significant proportion of property buyers and tenants in Brittany.

So you've decided? The Breton region has a lot to offer people on the move. Whether it is its environment, its employment area, but also its quality of life, Brittany is attractive! After the two French confinements, many people from the Paris region and from large French cities have decided to move to another region.

The 5 ker (cities) where it is good to live!

You have decided that your new home(city) is in Brittany. But in which towns can you settle? Here are 5 Breton towns where it is good to live, ideal for working but also for enjoying the magnificent environment offered by the Brittany coast.

Valves

A family town, Vannes is a perfect place to live in Brittany.

Every day, you have the chance to enjoy a town on a human scale located in the heart of the Gulf of Morbihan.

The inhabitants enjoy strolling through the historic centre, walking near the Gulf of Morbihan, drinking a coffee in town, shopping at the market and the Halles...

The harbour square is pleasant, where you can enjoy an ice cream with your family. In addition, more than 10,000 jobs are located in the Vannes employment area.

Lorient

In the beautiful department of Morbihan, you can settle in Lorient. It is a city where the cost of living is lower than in other Breton cities such as Vannes or the coastal cities.

Life is quiet, and is perfectly positioned between Finistère and the Gulf of Morbihan. Finally, Lorient is a town on a human scale, with the sea and the countryside nearby.

Rennes

The Breton capital is one of France's great cities where people live happily as a family.

It is economically prosperous and offers a wide range of cultural activities. A student town, Rennes is known for its employment pool and its very low unemployment rate à 6,0 %. It is also a cosmopolitan and transgenerational city. Students, young professionals, families and retirees, there is something for everyone. The city centre of Rennes is also very attractive and dynamic, lined with green spaces. Discover the testimony of Marie, our super ambassador from Renneswho moved from Paris to Rennes a few years ago. Marie explains her decision to move to another city, and her choice for Rennes.

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Be accompanied by Switch Up during your installation on the Breton territory.

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Brest

Brest is a city where people like to live and work: the employment prospects are numerous and attractive. The city's dynamism and low cost of living make it attractive to newcomers. Public transport and bicycles are the preferred means of transport. For several years now, the Breton city has been adopting a genuine environmental approach. Finally, according to the APEC study in 2019, Brest is the second city in Brittany where executive jobs are concentrated after Rennes, and accounts for 16% of the executive job market.

Quimper

Not far from Brest, and an important city in Finistère, Quimper is a major centre of Breton Breton culture. The beaches of Bénodet, Fouesnant and Concarneau are only 25 minutes away by car. The city is also known for its green setting, with its many natural areas and parks. Labelled as a "city of art and history", but also as an important employment area in Brittany, the companies based in Quimper are recruiting and looking to integrate new talents. As far as mobility is concerned, the LGV line makes it possible to reach Paris in 3h30 and Rennes in 2h.

Switch Upwill help you to settle in Brittany thanks to our local network of Ambassadors. Administrative procedures, finding accommodation, schools, discovering the area or integrating, our Breton ambassadors will be delighted to welcome you. So, kenavo (goodbye) and happy settling in our beautiful region of Brittany!

Au revoir, Paris: The 5 big questions to ask yourself before changing cities.

Marie Juthier

Marie, 42 years old, Switch Up ambassadorambassador, tells us why she and her husband, well established professionally, made the choice to leave Paris with their three children. And why the choice of destination was not so simple, not to mention certain prejudices coming from the people around them... She will tell us about her experience and the different questions to ask before moving to another city.

The main questions to ask yourself before moving to another city

I have beenlivingin Paris for about fifteen years and it was clear that our life was no longer satisfying us.

Our flat had become too small for our growing family, and we no longer wanted to endure the traffic jams, the aggressiveness, the stress, the pollution... the difficulty of getting out of Paris, even if only for a day or a weekend.

As much as we loved our city, it became urgent to move to improve our quality of life and regain our family balance.

Our criteria for making this change

The most important thing is that we needed space in our home: a bedroom for each child and an office for us parents (who are independent and therefore often work from home). We also wanted a less urban area, and a garden, why not? Having the possibility of going away for the weekend easily is a real plus. A healthy environment for the children, shops and schools nearby so that we don't have to use the car every time we travel, were also important criteria.

Also to fit in with our professional lives, the accommodation had to be within reasonable distance of Paris. After all, we would still have regular obligations there. With these criteria, obviously the perfect solution did not exist.

In accepting the compromises, 2 main options seemed to emerge...

1

Moving away from the centre of Paris but staying in the Paris region This was a way to gain in quality of life. But, while not changing too much our habits of Parisian life to which we were attached (professional environment, cultural outings, friends...)

2

Moving to the provinces It was a fresh start, with a better chance of meeting all our criteria. In addition, we were certain of gaining more space for a smaller budget. The only constraint was that we had to stay within reasonable distance of Paris...

The province often came up in our discussions. But, apart from the radical change of life, we were also sensitive to the critical view of our social circle and friends on this choice. For many people, leaving Paris meant leaving to bury themselves. "You're crazy, leaving Paris, but what's the big idea?", "And what are you going to do about the job?

We therefore had to overcome these preconceived ideas, which are nevertheless very present in the collective unconscious (or conscious?) of Paris. The exchange between us, weighing the pros and cons, was a very important step. Making lists, naming our deepest desires while remaining objective about the consequences, especially professional ones.

Before changing your life, the 5 big questions to ask yourself:

Is my desire an escape or a life project?
Identify my needs! What kind of lifestyle do I want to have?
What are the limits to life change?
Does my partner have the same desires as me? What do the children think?
Am I ready to live away from my loved ones?

In the end, the balance tipped in favour of the province. In the end, we listened to ourselves: we wanted to make a real change and and give a new impetus to our lives ! After reflection, Rennes came out on top in our choice, notably for its optimal geographical location: 1 hour and 25 minutes from Paris thanks to the LGV and "only" 50 minutes from the sea!

Why choose Rennes?

1

Pleasant city, young, relaxed atmosphere.

2

Optimal geographical position.

2

The labour market is dynamic.

A few months later, it was on!

Today, we are very well settled in Rennes, integrated, and do not regret our choice at all, thanks to a new family and professional balance. We are proud to have had the courage to change our habits to meet our desires and essential needs.

Long live mobility!

You can read Marie's testimony and the main questions to ask yourself when moving to another city. Are you moving for professional reasons? Would you like to be helped in your move and welcomed in your new home? Call on our ambassadors! They can help you discover the city. But also to find the house of your dreams, to carry out your administrativeprocedures... For more information, contact us or find us on www.switch-up.fr

This article was written by Marie J., who is at your service to assist you in your move to Rennes.

I ask for his help

RENNES